ing in the church. For Zion is a symbol of the church; and the perfection of beauty is the perfection of goodness existing in God; from the fervour of which goodness goes forth the glory and brilliance of divine truth, in which God always shines. Now it should be the aim of man constantly to aspire after excellence—not so much to aspire to excel, as to aspire to possess excellence within his own soul. Not to dazzle, not to blind others by the display of great learning and great abilities, but in his own life, by the meekness of wisdom, endeavour to approve himself before Him who seeth in secret, and who rewards in what is manifest. True excellence makes no attempt at display; for it remembers the source of all perfection; and in the performance of its manifold duties, never loses sight of Him to whom alone all honour is due;-and whatever, by his assistance, it is enabled to accomplish, it is careful to be obedient to the divine injunction, "See thou tell no man?" The understanding that aspires after true wisdom, and, consequently, after excellence, becomes more and more penetrating; but, at the same time, more and more softened and refined, until at length the constant exercise of truth causes errors to pass from it, and the eye of the understanding becoming single, the whole body is full of light. Then may be said to exist the purity of wisdom finitely embodied; and from such wisdom there is exhibited the loveliness of virtue—the more lovely, because of its lowliness. No parade; no assumption; no "Stand by, I am holier than thou;" no seeking after vulgar admiration; no assumed superiority, that it may have glory of men;—but a constant looking unto Him in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge—a
